OTRC: Jane Fonda speaks out about canceled QVC appearance

Jane Fonda took to her personal blog on Saturday, July 16, to speak out against QVC canceling her scheduled appearance on Saturday in which she was set to promote her latest book "Prime Time."

The 73-year-old Academy Award-winning actress and author claims her appearance was canceled over her previous activism against the Vietnam War.

"The network said they got a lot of calls yesterday criticizing me for my opposition to the Vietnam War and threatening to boycott the show if I was allowed to appear," the actress wrote. "I am, to say the least, deeply disappointed that QVC caved to this kind of insane pressure by some well funded and organized political extremist groups."

"I have never shied away from talking about this as I have nothing to hide. I could have pointed out that threats of boycotts are nothing new for me and have never prevented me from having best selling books and exercise DVDs, films, and a Broadway play," she added. "Most people don't buy into the far right lies. Many people have reached out to express how excited they were about my going onto QVC and hearing about my book."

Fonda continued, saying, "I do not understand what the far right stands to gain by continuing with these myths. In this case, they denied a lot of people the chance to hear about a book that can help make life better, easier and more fulfilling. I am deeply grateful for all of the support I have been getting since this happened, including from my Vietnam Veterans friends."

However, the network tells The Associated Press that Fonda's appearance was canceled due to a routine programming change.

QVC spokesman Paul Capelli confirmed Fonda's cancelled appearance to the wire service and he added, "It's not unusual to have a schedule change ... with little or no notice."

Fonda regularly spoke out against the Vietnam War in the 1970s and was once dubbed "Hanoi Jane" after she visited the North Vietnamese capital and made radio broadcasts in which she criticized United States leaders and policies. She also visited an anti-aircraft gun area site that was used to shoot down American pilots.

"I will go to my grave regretting that. The image of Jane Fonda, Barbarella, Henry Fonda's daughter, just a woman sitting on a enemy aircraft gun, was a betrayal," Fonda said about visiting the gun site in a 2009 interview with "60 Minutes."

The actress later said that she did not regret making the radio broadcasts, "Our government was lying to us, and men were dying because of it." Fonda added, "And I felt that I had to do anything that I could to expose the lies, and help end the war. That was my goal."

"Prime Time" is set for release next month. In the book, she tells about plastic surgery she underwent recently, which she has not discussed in detail, as well as tidbits about her health and fitness habits.